Meanwhile, Sansui’s mind noted that the Entangling Bride threads had already brushed his head—they would fully entangle his body in seconds.
If I can just withstand this a few more moments... Lloyd thought. No! Sansui isn’t an opponent I can just wait to defeat!
Recognizing he still had a chance, Lloyd acted decisively to block all possible retreats. He generated four gears around himself, encircling both him and Sansui.
There’s no reason to play weak anymore. I’ll block all escape routes here!
The gears already emitted void blades; escape would require moving upward—but above, the Entangling Bride awaited. Lloyd still had three fully controllable gears remaining.
Sansui, despite landing his attack, had been completely caught off guard. He had expected Whale Breaker to immobilize Lloyd, so Lloyd’s ability to move was truly surprising. Yet, this was exactly where Sansui’s seamless combat style shone.
This resistance... There’s a special defensive method at work. That means...I can attack at full force without worry!
Feeling the unexpected resistance, Sansui released his grip on his sword and further closed the distance.
Lloyd’s movement is slow—so the technique isn’t fully nullified!
With his fully functional right hand, Sansui slipped past Lloyd’s arm and grasped his head.
“Ki Wave!”
He struck directly at the head while obscuring Lloyd’s vision. Every action flowed seamlessly—think, sense, act—without hesitation. This was the essence of composure in the face of uncertainty.
By obstructing his vision and striking the head, Lloyd will instinctively try to attack my right hand!
Yet, Lloyd’s reaction was faster than Sansui anticipated.
“Palm Wheel!”
Gears formed in both hands, striking Sansui’s right forearm. They cut deep into the relatively fragile arm, and an instant later, the void blades activated, severing it completely.
Got him!
Lloyd was certain of victory. Without consuming Divine Ginseng, Sansui losing a hand would drastically reduce his combat capability. Even if he could fight, there would not be enough time to overcome Lloyd before the Entangling Bride fully ensnared him.
Wrong!
Lloyd had moved faster than Sansui expected, but in the end, it didn’t matter. Sansui hadn’t just grabbed Lloyd’s head with his right hand—his numb left hand maintained contact with Lloyd’s abdomen as well.
You made a mistake! You should have cut the left hand, not the right!
Sansui’s technique required a brief preparatory movement. Because he had to maintain contact with the opponent for a few moments, he needed to distract Lloyd’s attention. He lost his right hand—but victory was his. Yes, it was Lloyd who was trapped.
“Suiboku Immortal Style Flash Step Art: Scattered Land!”
In an instant, Lloyd’s perception inverted. He had seen the severed right arm and the blood spilling from the wound...yet he lost track of Sansui. Worse, he lost all sense of his own position. Upside down, his head touched the very gears he had deployed as a foothold. Before he could even comprehend this abnormality, Sansui’s attack struck.
“Ki Wave: Destroying Fist!”
Sansui stomped on Lloyd’s jaw while channeling all his energy through the soles of his feet. Caught between the gears and Sansui’s foot, Lloyd’s jaw shattered, his head shaken violently.
It was over. Lloyd did not even cry out; he was completely unconscious. The gear that had been supporting him vanished, and his body began to fall.
“A formidable opponent, indeed.”
Sansui used his remaining hand to grasp Lloyd’s leg. That was the limit of his strength. His right hand, severed, fell away with the wooden sword. Watching it descend, Sansui himself slowly lowered his altitude, gently placing Lloyd on the ground. Then he collapsed.
The effects of the Golden Balm that had enhanced his body faded, and he returned to his childlike form. He felt exhaustion and pain—not pleasant by any means—pressing on the spot where his right hand had been.
“Truly...strong...”
Rather than lamenting his own inadequacy, Sansui acknowledged the strength of his opponent. Without sacrificing his hand, he could not have won.
Even if Scattered Land had been slow, to cut my arm so cleanly...
Lloyd had been a formidable opponent. His tactics were impeccable, and his use of noble treasures precise. Without such skill, Sansui could never have been driven to the edge.
“Now then.”
Though bleeding heavily, he could still sense the presence of others nearby. Fully aware of his condition, he waited for reinforcements to arrive.
“L-Lloyd!”
“Did he lose?!”
“No, it’s a draw, right?!”
“Call the Tengu immediately!”
“He’s completely out... What a horrible sight...”
Lloyd’s allies from the Rapid Iron Style arrived at the scene. Seeing that, Sansui slowly stood up. He had won. Lloyd had reinforcements—it was a fact—but there was still more to do.
“Master...”
A victor should walk on their own two feet. Holding his severed right arm to staunch the bleeding, Sansui moved forward, ghostlike and drained of vitality.
“It is over.”
“Yes. The fight is decided.”
The Great Tengu Cel and Suiboku, who had experienced the battle of Lloyd and Sansui as a proxy war long overdue between themselves, spoke at the finish. The fight had carried the expectations of both sides—and it had not betrayed them. Both of their disciples had fought with everything they had and the results were in.
“Even so, I’m impressed. As expected of the Great Tengu Cel—being able to integrate a defense that applies Feather Step into a noble treasure.”
“And you?” Cel replied.
“Yes. I can do it as well.”
Suiboku, seated beside Cel, activated a technique he had mastered. It was the ultimate defense—one that diffused and nullified all forms of Immortal Arts and physical attacks alike. Sensing it, Cel was left speechless.
“Don’t do that with your bare body. And to think it’s even more effective than my noble treasure.”
“I’ve put in the training,” Suiboku said calmly.
“Indeed. We’ve certainly come a long way.”
For the first time in two thousand five hundred years, a Tengu and an Immortal had met once more. Both had reached great heights—and now found themselves amazed by it. With no rivals to spur them on, it was remarkable how far they had honed themselves.
“You look quite pleased,” Cel noted.
“I am,” Suiboku responded. “I was able to confirm just how much my disciple has grown—how complete he is.”
The techniques he had taught Sansui only recently—his student had wielded them flawlessly, despite them having been newly acquired. A disciple who had remained unscathed until today. A disciple he had carefully nurtured for five hundred years. A disciple who had remained the strongest against all but himself.
Indeed, this proved that his disciple had perfectly reached the realm of unity between sword and Immortal that Suiboku himself had attained. It was proof that Suiboku had successfully raised him.
“Truly...a devoted disciple.”
“Hmph. Mine too,” Cel replied.
The Great Tengu was satisfied as well.
The opponent had been an Immortal personally endorsed by the strongest man in the world, yet Lloyd had fought him to the very end—even inflicting wounds that could have proven fatal. Just as he had two thousand five hundred years ago, Cel had once again borne witness to the strength of humanity.
“That was a good match, Suiboku.”
“Yes... It was a fine battle.”
Suiboku’s eyes grew moist despite himself. There was nothing left to fear—standing before him was the embodiment of his ideals.
“Master...”
Sansui approached, clutching his wounds. Blood dripped as he walked, his face pale from the loss of it. Yet his expression was filled with relief. Seeing his master’s joy made him happy.
“I won.”
“Mm... You’ve grown strong, Sansui.”